The weeks or months, depending on who you ask, leading up to the fifth generation iPhone will prove to be a relentless assault of rumors and reports. Once such report this evening comes by way of FBR Capital Markets who believes they’ve got the inside scoop on the iPhone 5/iPhone 4S. On tap for the forthcoming iPhone is an 8-megapixel camera and Qualcomm’s CDMA/GSM baseband, the quintessential upgrade needed in a universal (worldwide) hardware refresh.
Codenamed “N94”, the fifth generation iPhone will be released as either the iPhone 4S or 5. Earlier this week reports came in suggesting Sprint and T-mobile in the U.S. would also land the handset. If FBR Capital Markets information proves accurate regarding the switch from Intel to a Qualcomm GSM/CDMA chip, that rumors now has a fresh set of legs.
In regards to the upgraded camera, FBR said, “The iPhone 5 will use an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor from OmniVision, with Sony being a possible backup sensor supplier next year”. Last month Sony’s CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, hinted that Apple might use the company’s Exmor R camera sensor (also found in the Xperia Arc) for future products (smartphones/tablets). An 8-megapixel CMOS sensor from OmniVision and a Sony Exmor sensor in the future seems like a logical choice.
Now how about a release date? FBR says, “Apple’s iPhone 5 will be manufactured in the third quarter,” falling in line with previous reports suggesting a late 2011 release. So there you have it, the latest and greatest in the wonderful world of iOS. Will we see an iPhone 4S/5 in 2011? Will we see the superb hardware refresh? Only time will tell and your guess is as good as mine.
via 9to5Mac
